Matt 6-7

I have a lot of thoughts. How can you not? It's Jesus' sermon on the mount part 2 and the crowds were amazed with his authoritative teaching (8:28-29).

So here's one thought:

My thought is about the 'righteous acts' described throughout the first part of chapter 6. Jesus pretty much says 'do it in secret, who cares what others think? Your Father in Heaven will reward you for what is done.' Even to the point of, 'when giving do not let your left hand know what the right is doing' (6:3).

A couple months ago I was talking with one person about our prayer meetings and she brought this point up saying that a small room would be way better than the open space.

And again just a few days ago me and a couple guys got into a conversation stemming from a study of 1 Tim, and we got to how we can make anything an idol, even working for God, craving the praise of others.

These are good thoughts and I know our motivation should not be to look good and spiritual in front of others, ultimately the only praise that matters is the words from God "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Luke 19:11-27). And that these acts by themselves have no ability to save, but are ultimately as 'filthy rags' (Isa 64:6).

However, I have seen multiple times people get involved or be pushed to trust God more because of visibility of these things. I have seen guys join into a Bible study because we were doing it behind Starbucks; I've seen people get involved and even come to know Christ personally because someone wore a P2C shirt while sharing by Timmies; I've seen people ask when we've prayed in Tory lobby; I know I have been greatly encouraged to give more and trust in God because of what I have seen others do in faith.

So, because of all this, my thought is a bit of a question: What are your thoughts on these 'acts of righteousness' being done in public? Is it beneficial? Should we do them only in secret? Both? 

Please leave a comment with your thoughts.